Is a budgie right for me?

Question

I have been wanting a bird for the longest time....and I think I want a budgie, but im not sure if it would be the right choice for me. Here are what my personal lifestyle and criteria for a bird is:

~I live with a 5 year old (but she knows not to hurt to hurt the bird)

~I have a cat (i could keep the bird in a closed room away from the
cat)

~I want a fairly small bird

~I want an inexspensive bird: $300 or less for initial cost (including cage and toys) and less than $30 every month after

~I want a bird that "could" learn to talk (its ok if it doesnt)

~I dont want a bird that can live over 25-30 yrs (I would take care of it if it did live longer than expected, but only want a short-lived bird)

Please help, and could anyone tell me on average how much a budgie would cost including cage, toys, etc.?

Answer 1

Hey i think a budgie is a pretty good choice for you! When I first got my budgie I only spent 100 dollars EXACTLY for my initial cost. And i bought tons of stuff with that money too. She has like 3 different kinds of food and billions of toys =] so i would say that is fairly affordable. In my area (california) the vet bills are about 40 dollars a check up at least. But you should only have to take your bird once a year unless it gets sick. Budgies can live from 10 to 20 years. Very rarely will they live longer, but most live up to 6 years usually because of captivity and mistakes made by owners or from dissease. A parakeet CAN learn to talk and CAN become pretty efficient talkers. The key is to buy a young budgie from about 6 to 10 weeks of age. The bars on the plumage will extend up to the cere to indicate a young bird. Also the cere will be either light baby blue, light beige, or pinkish purplish in color. Parakeets are also small, growing to about 7 inches in length or so. The only thing I would worry about is the cat, but since you have a separate room that should be fine. Hope this works out for you! Parakeets are GREAT pets and tons of fun =D

Answer 2

Budgies are great pets. Mine did learn to talk. I think the first investment is somewhere around $100, with bird, cage, food, toys etc. Then after that they are fairly inexpensive. My bird lived 10 years or so. The green/yellow ones tend to live longer than the blue/white ones. Have fun!!

Answer 3

25 - 30 years is a long time why don't you buy an older bird that you rescue or take off of someone elses hands then it will be short lived. The person might even give you the cage and toys. put an ad in the paper and see what happens you might be surprised.

Answer 4

A budgie is a cute bird, sounds right for you. Don't worry about your cat and the bird. I've had birds and cats together for years. Just have a squirt bottle filled with water near you, and everytime the cat starts heading toward the bird cage, squirt him. Eventually he'll learn, bird = getting wet. Cats hate that :-) Good luck with your new pet.

Answer 5

budgies are great first birds and can cost anywhere from $100 to $200 with cage, toys and food. they live 9 to 12 years and rarely to 15 years. $5 to $10 per month to maintain.

Answer 6

Not really big into birds, I recieved one as a gift when I was 8 ---16 years ago, to have in my room as a bribe to sleep in my room not with my parents. It lasted from 3rd grade to 6th, it was a parakeet i dont know if thats a good length, i enjoyed having one.

Answer 7

I have 6 parakeets and love them! If the bird is going to be spending a lot of time alone, please get it a friend. Birds like to be with other birds and get very lonely if they are alone.

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

They are great pets. I had one several years ago. One thing I did learn they love to pick at things. If you let it loose in your house it will fray the tops of your window curtains and peel the wall paper.

Answer 10

Your Choice!!